Word-puzzle game cartridge

Abstract

A cartridge in a book format for accommodating two decks of word-puzzle playing cards. The cartridge includes a top plate and a like base plate simulating the front and rear covers of a book whose inner surfaces, when the book is closed, are then in parallel relation. The top and base plate are interhinged by a slat that simulates the spine of the book. Formed on the inner surface of the base plate are two side-by-side compartments, the two decks of cards being received in these compartments. Formed on the inner surface of the top plate is a rectangular flange within which the two compartments nest when the book is closed, the flange then simulating the pages normally sandwiched between the covers of the book. Printed on the face of each card is a puzzle represented by two words, each having the same number of letters. In order for a player to win a point in the game, he must within a given time transform the first word into the second by changing a single letter in the first word or by rearranging its letters to make another word, until by a series of such transformations he creates the second word.

I claim: 
     
       1. A cartridge in a book format accommodating at least one deck of word-puzzle cards having predetermined dimensions, said cartridge comprising: (a) a top plate and a substantially-identical base plate simulating the front and rear covers of a book, the top plate and the base plate each having an inner surface, which when the book is closed lie in parallel relation;   (b) a slat interhinging the base plate to simulate a spine of the book;   (c) a rectangular flange integral with the inner surface of the top plate and projecting therefrom to engage the inner surface of the base plate when the book is in a closed state; and   (d) a compartment loaded with said deck of cards and having dimensions substantially corresponding to the dimensions of the deck formed by a wall integral with the inner surface of said base plate, said wall at its front end having a notch therein extending to the base plate to provide access to all cards in the deck so that they may be withdrawn from the compartment one card at a time, the dimensions of said compartment being such that the compartment nests within the rectangular flange when the book is in said closed state, and said flange then simulates the pages of a book sandwiched between its covers.   
     
     
       2. A cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cartridge is molded of synthetic plastic material and said slat is interhinged to said top and base plates by living hinges. 
     
     
       3. A cartridge as set forth in claim 11 accommodating two decks of cards and provided with a pair of compartments in side-by-side relation, each compartment having rectangular dimensions corresponding to those of a card and a height corresponding to the height of the deck accommodated therein. 
     
     
       4. A cartridge a set forth in claim 3, wherein said pair of compartments is defined by a wall having a rectangular form divided by a transverse partition into said pair of compartments. 
     
     
       5. A cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wall at its front end has a detent formed therein to be engaged by a complementary tooth in said flange to latch said cartridge in its closed state. 
     
     
       6. A cartridge as set forth in claim 1, wherein each card in the deck has printed on its front face a two-word puzzle and on its rear face a solution to this puzzle.